Toss Game

ABSTRACT

A toss game includes a toss item and a target structure. A target structure can include a bottom, plural sides each with lower ends abutting the bottom and upper ends defining an open top, and a central target having plural walls. The sides define a first pocket, the walls define a second pocket, and the central target is centered within the first pocket. A target structure can further include first and second side targets adjacent to a central target, and front and rear targets having widths fully spanning between opposing sides.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to games, and more specifically, to toss games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toss games generally include a target at which a player tosses an item. Various scoring rules can apply based on how accurately a player tosses an item at a target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toss game.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a toss game can include at least one toss item, and a target structure having a bottom, a plurality of sides having respective lower ends abutting the bottom and respective upper ends defining an open top, and a central target having a plurality of walls.

In exemplary aspects, the sides can define a first pocket therebetween, the walls can define a second pocket therebetween, the central target can be centered within the first pocket, and the sides can be spaced apart from the walls.

In additional exemplary aspects, the target structure can have four sides.

In another exemplary aspect, the central target can have has four walls.

In yet another exemplary aspect, the at least one toss item can be a sack.

In still another exemplary aspect, the sides and walls can be provided with a common height.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sides can include a first, second, third, and fourth sides, the plurality of walls can include a first and second walls, the first and second walls can extend in parallel between and terminating at the first and second sides, and the target structure can further have first and second side targets, with the first side target being defined by the first wall, the second wall, the third wall, and the second side and the second side target being defined by the first wall, the second wall, the fourth wall and the first side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary target structure having a central target.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary target structure having a central target.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary target structure having a central target with first and second side targets

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of another exemplary target structure having a central target with first and second side targets an exemplary frame having a centrally positioned target.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an exemplary target structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a toss game.

It should be noted that this disclosure includes a plurality of embodiments, with a plurality of elements and aspects, and such elements and aspects need not necessarily be interpreted as being conjunctively required by one or more embodiments of the present invention. Rather, all combinations of the one or more elements and/or aspects can enable a separate embodiment of the present invention, which may be claimed with particularity in this or any one or more future filed Non-Provisional patent applications. Moreover, any particular materials, structures, and/or sizes disclosed herein, whether expressly or implicitly, are to be construed strictly as illustrative and enabling, and not necessarily limiting. Therefore, it is expressly set forth that such materials, structures, and/or sizes independently or in any combination thereof, are merely illustratively representative of one or more embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as necessary in a strict sense.

Further, to the extent the same element or aspect is defined differently within this disclosure, whether expressly or implicitly, the broader definition is to take absolute precedence, with the distinctions encompassed by the narrower definition to be strictly construed as optional.

Illustratively, perceived benefits of the present invention can include functional utility, whether expressly or implicitly stated herein, or apparent herefrom. However, it is expressly set forth that these benefits are not intended as exclusive. Therefore, any explicit, implicit, or apparent benefit from the disclosure herein is expressly deemed as applicable to the present invention.

According to the present invention, a target structure can be formed from any one or more materials or combinations of materials, such as one or more of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, a crystalline material, or any other man-made or naturally occurring material, for example and not in limitation, insofar as the same is functionally consistent with the invention as described. Further, a target structure can be manufactured in any one or more functionally compatible manners, such as through molding, machining, cutting, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a toss game can include a target structure 100 and at least one toss item 200. As illustrated in FIG. 1, target structure 100 can include a bottom 110, a plurality of sides 120 having respective lower ends 120.1 abutting the bottom and respective upper ends 120.2 defining an open top 121. Sides 120 can define a first pocket 122 therebetween. As further illustrated, target structure 100 can further include a central target 130 having a plurality of walls 131, which can define a second pocket 132 therebetween. Notably, central target 130 can be centered within first pocket 122, with sides 120 being spaced apart from walls 131.

In another exemplary aspect, target structure 100 can be provided as any three-dimensional shape having a space surrounded by sides and having an open top. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, target structure 100 can be provided as a parallelepiped having an open top. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, target structure 100 can be provided with symmetric features, which can allow the target structure to positioned in plural, equivalent orientations for or during game play.

In another exemplary aspect, central target 130 can be permanently attached to target structure 100, or can be removably attached thereto (via Velcro™ for example and not in limitation), in which case, the target structure can optionally be repositioned in any one or more places within the target structure.

In still another exemplary aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 1, toss item 200 can be provided as a foot sack, but can be provided as any structure that can be tossed at or into at least one of first and second targets 122, 132, such as a ball, sack, foot sack, ring, or any other type of structure that can at least partially fit, or completely fit, within the at least one of first and second targets.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which target structure 100 can include first and second side targets 140,150 and front and rear targets 160,170, with the front and rear targets having widths fully spanning between opposing sides 120. As illustrated, sides 120 can include first, second, third, and fourth 123,124,125,126, walls 131 can include first, second, third, and fourth walls 133, 134, 135, 136, and the first and second walls can extend between, and terminate at, the first and second sides. Accordingly, first side target 140 can be defined by first wall 133, second wall 134, third wall 135, and first side 123; second side target 150 can be defined by first wall 133, second wall 134, fourth wall 136, and second side 124; front target 160 can be defined by first side 123, second side 124, third side 125, and first wall 133; and rear target 170 can be defined by first side 123, second side 124, fourth side 126, and second wall 134. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, target structure 100 can be provided with symmetric features, which can allow the target structure to be positioned in plural, equivalent orientations for or during game play.

In another exemplary aspect, first and second side targets 140,150 can be permanently attached to target structure 100, or can be removably attached thereto (via Velcro™ for example and not in limitation), in which case, the side targets can optionally be repositioned in any one or more places within the target structure.

In another exemplary aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 5, sides 120 and walls 131 can be provided with a common height to the extent desired.

The following are exemplary rules, one or more of which, can be followed in playing a game with the present invention: two or more teams; scoring can based at least in part on horseshoes; each team can throw one or more toss items; cancellation scoring like horseshoes; first to 21 wins; shutout 11-0; the team that scores the most points during a round throws first the next round; all games must be won by two or more points; to score a player may hit the top of a target first and score where the toss item stops; bouncing a toss item in from the ground outside the box can be allowed or prohibited; and different targets can have the same or different amount of points.

In another exemplary aspect, the distance from which a player tosses a toss item towards a target structure can be any desired distance. Distances can also depend upon skill levels or ages of players. For example, 40 feet for “pro level,” 30 feet for “expert level” or ages 18-65, 20 feet for “amateur level” or age 8-80, or 10-15 feet for “beginner level,” indoor play, or all ages.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the exemplary embodiments and aspects.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement, and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention. For example, wall and/or sides can be provided as continuous materials or provided in sections, insofar as desired.

Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative and enabling, rather than a restrictive, sense.

Accordingly, it will be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of any future filed claims. 

Therefore, I claim:
 1. A toss game, comprising: at least one toss item; and a target structure having a bottom, a plurality of sides having respective lower ends abutting the bottom and respective upper ends defining an open top, and a central target having a plurality of walls; wherein the sides define a first pocket therebetween, the walls define a second pocket therebetween, the central target is centered within the first pocket, and the sides are spaced apart from the walls.
 2. The game of claim 1, wherein said target structure has four sides.
 3. The game of claim 2, wherein the central target has four walls.
 4. The game of claim 1, wherein the central target has four walls.
 5. The game of claim 1, wherein the at least one toss item is a sack.
 6. The game of claim 1, wherein the sides and the walls are provided with a common height.
 7. The toss game of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sides includes first and second, sides, the plurality of walls includes first and a second walls, the first and second walls extending between and terminating at the first and second sides, and said target structure further has first and second side targets, with the first side target being defined by first wall, second wall, third wall, and second side and the second side target being defined by first wall, second wall, fourth wall and first side.
 8. The game of claim 7, wherein the at least one toss item is a sack.
 9. The game of claim 7, wherein the sides and the walls are provided with a common height. 